The AFC West seems like it is the Broncos and everyone else. The Broncos are obviously the favorites to win the division. They finished last year 13-3 before being upset by the Ravens in the divisional round of the playoffs. They still have Peyton Manning at quarterback and they added the always reliable Wes Welker at WR. The defense lost Elvis Dumervil to the Ravens and Von Miller will be out for six games due to a suspension for violating league policy, but the Broncos offense will score enough points to win them games. The Kansas City Chiefs seem to be everyone's pick to be the surprise team in the AFC this year. They have a new head coach in Andy Reid and a new quarterback in Alex Smith. They also hired John Dorsey from the Green Bay Packers to be their new GM. The Chiefs have made a lot of chances, but sometimes change is good. Expect them to be much improved this year and fighting for a wild card spot.
The Oakland Raiders also have a new quarterback this year. They traded for Matt Flynn from Seattle. Many thought 4th round pick Tyler Wilson would be competition for Flynn, but he has struggled so far this offseason and now Flynn is competing with Terrelle Pryor for the starting quarterback job. The Raiders may struggle this year with a thin offensive line and questionable wide receivers. The San Diego Chargers have a new coach in Mike McCoy. He was previously the offensive coordinator for the Broncos. The Chargers main focus should be protecting quarterback Phillip Rivers, the Chargers will go as Rivers goes. The Chargers have been dealing with injuries to their wide receivers in the offseason. Don't be surprised if they look for a veteran wide receiver when teams start to cut their rosters down.
1. Denver Broncos. 12-4
The Broncos have the easiest strength of schedule in 2013. Expect Peyton Manning and that offense to have a big year. Wes Welker will become one of Mannings' favorite receivers. Even with the key losses at linebacker they should be able to score the points to make up for it. The defense won't be as good as last year, but their offense will be better and win them plenty of games. The Broncos will run away with the division and may be resting some key starters down the stretch to make sure they are healthy for their prime playoff run.
2. Kansas City Chiefs. 8-8
The Chiefs make a huge jump this year from last year. They had some key acquisitions in the offesason with corner backs Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson. They also added tight end Anthony Fasano and the number one over all pick Eric Fisher. The Chiefs will be headed in the right direction, but I think it will take more then one year to completely fix what they went through last season. The Chiefs win six more games, but it is not enough to make the playoffs as they come up just short of a wild card berth.
3. San Diego Chargers. 4-12
Phillip Rivers will need to have a big year if they are going to succeed, but with that offensive line I don't think Rivers will be able to get the job done. The Chargers have had some big injuries this offesason, WR Danario Alexander tore his ACL, Malcom Floyd has a strained knee, but he is hoping to return by week one of the season and recently Eddie Royal got carted off practice with a bruised lung. This is not good for Rivers and that offense. Look for the Chargers to struggle this year.
4. Oakland Raiders. 3-13
look for the Raiders to lean on Darren McFadden in the run game, but eventually defenses will force the Raiders to throw the ball and I believe this is when they will struggle. The Raiders have many problems including the offensive line, wide receivers and they have not named a starting quarterback for week one yet. I feel like the Raiders are going to struggle all season long. Look for the Raiders to be competing for the number one overall pick in next years draft.
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The Oakland Raiders also have a new quarterback this year. They traded for Matt Flynn from Seattle. Many thought 4th round pick Tyler Wilson would be competition for Flynn, but he has struggled so far this offseason and now Flynn is competing with Terrelle Pryor for the starting quarterback job. The Raiders may struggle this year with a thin offensive line and questionable wide receivers. The San Diego Chargers have a new coach in Mike McCoy. He was previously the offensive coordinator for the Broncos. The Chargers main focus should be protecting quarterback Phillip Rivers, the Chargers will go as Rivers goes. The Chargers have been dealing with injuries to their wide receivers in the offseason. Don't be surprised if they look for a veteran wide receiver when teams start to cut their rosters down.
1. Denver Broncos. 12-4
The Broncos have the easiest strength of schedule in 2013. Expect Peyton Manning and that offense to have a big year. Wes Welker will become one of Mannings' favorite receivers. Even with the key losses at linebacker they should be able to score the points to make up for it. The defense won't be as good as last year, but their offense will be better and win them plenty of games. The Broncos will run away with the division and may be resting some key starters down the stretch to make sure they are healthy for their prime playoff run.
2. Kansas City Chiefs. 8-8
The Chiefs make a huge jump this year from last year. They had some key acquisitions in the offesason with corner backs Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson. They also added tight end Anthony Fasano and the number one over all pick Eric Fisher. The Chiefs will be headed in the right direction, but I think it will take more then one year to completely fix what they went through last season. The Chiefs win six more games, but it is not enough to make the playoffs as they come up just short of a wild card berth.
3. San Diego Chargers. 4-12
Phillip Rivers will need to have a big year if they are going to succeed, but with that offensive line I don't think Rivers will be able to get the job done. The Chargers have had some big injuries this offesason, WR Danario Alexander tore his ACL, Malcom Floyd has a strained knee, but he is hoping to return by week one of the season and recently Eddie Royal got carted off practice with a bruised lung. This is not good for Rivers and that offense. Look for the Chargers to struggle this year.
4. Oakland Raiders. 3-13
look for the Raiders to lean on Darren McFadden in the run game, but eventually defenses will force the Raiders to throw the ball and I believe this is when they will struggle. The Raiders have many problems including the offensive line, wide receivers and they have not named a starting quarterback for week one yet. I feel like the Raiders are going to struggle all season long. Look for the Raiders to be competing for the number one overall pick in next years draft.
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Broncos D won't be as good as last year? They got rid of the worst DE in the NFL against the run in Dumervil, and added key pieces, such as DRC, Shaun Phillips, and in the draft. With mastermind Jack Del Rio pulling the strings, Denver's D will once again be formidable, and even better than last year's #2 overall squad.
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